Container for Melding Pieces of Soap

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for melding two substances together, such as a soap sliver and a bar of soap.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 61/771,805, “Container for Melding Pieces of Soap,” filed Mar. 2,2013, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

A. Technical Field

The present invention pertains generally to containers, and relates moreparticularly to a container for melding soap slivers to a bar of soap.

B. Background of the Invention

This background section is provided to describe various problems of thecurrent art that are addressed by the present invention. This discussionis intended to provide the reader with background information to helpthe reader better understand the invention. Accordingly, this backgroundsection should be understood in this light and not as admissions ofprior art.

Millions, if not billions, of people throughout the world use bar soapevery day to keep themselves clean. One problem associated with bar soapis that it becomes fragile and difficult to handle when it wears down toa small size, commonly referred to as a soap sliver. All users of barsoap have to deal with soap slivers. Many people simply discard soapslivers when they become too difficult to handle. Others may try to useevery ounce of soap and thus continue to use, with great difficulty, thesliver until it has been almost completely exhausted. Of course many ofthese users lose the slivers down the drain as they become difficult tohandle due to the small size.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Reference will be made to embodiments of the invention, examples ofwhich may be illustrated in the accompanying figures. These figures areintended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the invention isgenerally described in the context of these embodiments, it should beunderstood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the inventionto these particular embodiments.

FIG. 1A is an exploded view of a container 100 according to embodimentsof the invention.

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of a bottom portion 120 of a containeraccording to embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 1C is a perspective view of a top portion 130 of a containeraccording to embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 1D is a perspective view of the underside of a top portion 130according to embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 1E is a cross sectional view of a container 100 according toembodiments of the invention.

FIG. 2A is an exploded view of a container 200 according to embodimentsof the invention.

FIG. 2B is a perspective view of a container 200 according toembodiments of the invention.

FIG. 2C is a perspective view of a bottom portion 220 of a containeraccording to embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 2D is a perspective view of a top portion 230 of a containeraccording to embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of a scrubber 300 according to embodiments of theinvention.

FIG. 4A is a diagram of a loop of nylon mesh 410 according toembodiments on the invention.

FIG. 4B is a diagram of nylon mesh formed in a “C” shape 420 accordingto embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 4C is a diagram showing a partial construction of a scrubber 300according to embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 4D is a diagram showing a partial construction of a scrubber 300according to embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 4E is a diagram showing a partial construction of a scrubber 300according to embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 4F is a diagram showing a partial construction of a scrubber 300according to embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 5A is a diagram of scrubber 300 positioned on a hand according toembodiments of the invention.

FIG. 5B is a diagram of scrubber 300 positioned on a hand according toembodiments of the invention.

FIG. 5C is a diagram of scrubber 300 positioned on a hand according toembodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, for purposes of explanation, specificdetails are set forth in order to provide an understanding of theinvention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art thatthe invention can be practiced without these details. Furthermore, oneskilled in the art will recognize that embodiments of the presentinvention, described below, may be crafted with a variety of materials,including, but not limited to, plastic, rubber, wood, stainless steel,or combinations thereof Accordingly, the figures described herein areillustrative of specific embodiments of the invention and are meant toavoid obscuring the invention.

Reference in the specification to “one embodiment,” “preferredembodiment,” “an embodiment,” or “embodiments” means that a particularfeature, structure, characteristic, or function described in connectionwith the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of theinvention and may be in more than one embodiment. The appearances of thephrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” or “in embodiments” invarious places in the specification are not necessarily all referring tothe same embodiment or embodiments.

FIG. 1A is an exploded view of a container 100 for melding a first pieceof soap 105 (e.g., a bar of soap) with a second piece of soap 110 (e.g.,a soap sliver) according to embodiments of the invention). In theembodiment of FIG. 1A, container 100 is comprised of a bottom portion120, a top portion 130 and an optional compressible material 140. Inembodiments, top portion 130 couples to bottom portion 120. For example,in embodiments, the bottom portion 120 comprises multiple settings 190at which the top portion 130 may couple to the bottom portion 120. Asdiscussed further herein, the multiple settings 190 allow the height ofthe top portion 130 relative to the base of the bottom portion 120 tovary based on the setting at which the top portion 130 is coupled to thebottom portion 120.

FIG. 1C is a top perspective view of the top portion 130 according toembodiments of the invention. In embodiments, top portion is comprisedof a top surface 180, a lip 175 and two voids 185. In embodiments, lip175 couples to one of the multiple settings 190 of the bottom portion120 as discussed further herein. In embodiments, the two voids 185 allowthe top portion 130 to flex when the top portion is squeezed at points Aand B marked on FIG. 1C as discussed further herein.

FIG. 1D is a bottom perspective view of the top portion 130 according toembodiments of the invention. In embodiments, the underside of surface180 of the top portion 130 may comprise one or more hooks 181. Inembodiments, the hooks 181 may be used to tie in the optionalcompressible material, such as a sponge, shower pouf or other materialcapable of being compressed, thus securing the compressible material 140to the top portion 130. In embodiments, the optional compressiblematerial 140 may be secured to the top portion 130 using glue or otheradhesives. In embodiments, the top portion 130 itself, or a portionthereof, may be constructed of a compressible material, such as rubber,sponge, etc.

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the bottom portion 120 according toembodiments of the present invention. In embodiments, bottom portion 120is comprised of a bottom surface 150. In embodiments, as shown in FIG.1B, bottom surface 150 may be comprised of drainage holes 145 (e.g.,voids) that allow water to escape from container 100. In embodiments,bottom surface 150 is also comprised of small spikes 155 spacedthroughout bottom surface 150 to provide traction to hold a piece ofsoap in place. While the embodiment of FIG. 1B uses spikes to providetraction for the bottom surface 150, one skilled in the art willrecognize that there are a number of ways to provide traction for bottomsurface 150 that are within the scope of the present invention.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1B, bottom surface 150 is also comprisedof a sidewall 160 that is coupled to the bottom surface 150. Inembodiments, bottom surface 150 and sidewall 160 form a cavity 170 thatholds one or more pieces of soap to be melded together by container 100.It is worth noting that the embodiment shown in FIG. 1B has a singlesidewall since the sidewall is oval shaped. However, one skilled in theart will recognize that the invention is not limited to oval shapedcontainers. Other container shapes, including, but not limited to,rectangular or octagonal, also fall within the scope of the presentinvention. Thus, it is worth noting that other shapes, such as arectangular shaped container, may comprise multiple sidewalls that arejoined together and to bottom surface 150 to create cavity 170. Further,it is worth noting that the sidewalls need not be solid. In embodiments,the sidewalls may also have holes or other voids that provide drainage,ventilation, and or aesthetic qualities.

In embodiments, bottom portion 120 comprises multiple settings 190 atwhich the top portion 130 may be coupled to the bottom portion 120 toalter the height of top portion 130 with respect to the bottom surface150 of the bottom portion 120. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1A,different layers of teeth extending from the sidewall 160 providemultiple settings 190 at which the top portion 130 may be positionedwith respect to the bottom surface 150 as discussed further herein.

A discussion of how the present invention melds a first piece of soap toa second piece of soap according to embodiments of the invention will bedescribed with respect to the exploded view shown in FIG. 1A. Inembodiments, a user will place a piece of soap 105 (e.g., a bar of soap)into cavity 170 of the bottom portion 120. In embodiments, the user willplace a second piece of soap 110 (e.g., a soap sliver) that the userwishes to meld to the first piece of soap 105 on top of the first pieceof soap 105 in cavity 170.

In embodiments, the user places an optional compressible material 140 ontop of the second piece of soap 110 in cavity 170. Depending on thethickness of the compressible material 140, at least a portion of thecompressible material 140 may protrude out of cavity 170. Inembodiments, the compressible material 140 may be directly attached tothe top portion 130 through glue, tying, etc. as discussed previously.In embodiments, the top portion 130 itself, or a portion thereof, may beconstructed from a compressible material.

In embodiments, the top portion 130 is coupled to one of the multiplesettings 190 of the bottom portion 120. As discussed previously, themultiple settings 190 provide multiple positions at which the topportion 130 may be positioned with respect to the bottom surface 150 ofthe bottom portion 120. As a result, the height of the top portion 130relative to the bottom surface 150 of the bottom portion 120 may bevaried to vary the pressure applied by the top portion 130 to the secondpiece of soap 110, either directly or through the optional compressiblematerial 140.

In embodiments, the user may squeeze the top portion 130 to alter theshape of the top portion 130 so that it will fit between the teeth ofthe multiple settings 190. When the user positions the top portion 130at the desired setting, the user may release the top portion 130 so thatit returns to its normal size and couples to the desired teeth of themultiple settings 190. For example, FIG. 1E is a cross sectional view ofcontainer 100, according to embodiments of the invention, with the topportion 130 coupled to the top setting of the multiple settings 190 ofbottom portion 120. As shown in FIG. 1E, the lip 175 of the top portionfits between the four top teeth and the second four highest teeth tosecure the top portion 130 to the bottom portion 120. By squeezing thetop portion 130 and lowering it to a lower set of teeth within themultiple settings 190, the user may adjust the height of the top portion130 relative to the bottom surface 150 of the bottom portion 120. Thus,but adjusting the position of the top portion 130, the user increases ordecreases the height of the cavity 170 of the container 100, thusdecreasing or increasing, respectively, the pressure on the contents ofthe cavity, e.g., the first piece of soap, the second piece of soap andthe optional compressible material 140.

In embodiments, the pressure applied by the top portion 130 and thebottom portion 120 on the pieces of soap results in the soap piecesmelding together over time. For example, if left overnight, the piecesof soap will be stuck together securely and may be used as a singlepiece of soap. This has the advantage of reducing the inconvenience ofdealing with small soap slivers and avoids the waste that is oftenassociated with discarding soap slivers.

While embodiments of the present invention have been described withrespect to using “teeth” to establish multiple settings 190 at which thetop portion 130 may be coupled to the bottom portion 120, one skilled inthe art will recognize that there are a number of ways to design thecontainer to allow for multiple settings 190 of the top portion 130 withrespect to the bottom surface 150 of the bottom portion 120. The presentinvention is not limited to the described embodiments and encompassesother designs that allow for multiple settings 190 of the top portion130 with respect to the bottom surface 150 of the bottom portion 120.For example, a ratcheting system could be used to establish multiplesettings 190 of the top portion 130 with respect to the bottom portion120. As another example, multiple holes at different depths could be cutinto the sidewall of bottom portion 120 to which protrusions from thetop portion 130 could engage to control the height of the top portion120 with respect to the bottom surface 150 of the bottom portion 120.Likewise, the protrusions at various depths could emanate from thesidewall 160 of the bottom portion 120 and couple to matching holes inthe top portion 130. One skilled in the art will recognize that thesedesigns for providing multiple settings 190 and others all fall withinthe scope of the present invention.

While the embodiments of FIGS. 1A-1E have been described with respect tothe bottom portion 120 of the container having the multiple settings 190at which the top portion 130 may couple to the bottom portion 120, thepresent invention is not limited to such arrangements. One skilled inthe art will recognize that the present invention also covers otherembodiments, such as containers in which the multiple settings 190 aredesigned into the top portion 130 for which the bottom portion 120couples with the top portion 130.

FIG. 2A is an exploded view of a container 200 for melding a first pieceof soap 105 (e.g., a bar of soap) with a second piece of soap 110 (e.g.,a soap sliver) according to embodiments of the invention. In theembodiment of FIG. 2A, container 200 is comprised of a bottom portion220, a top portion 230 and a compressible material 245. In embodiments,top portion 230 couples to the bottom portion 220. For example, in FIG.2A, tabs 240 of the bottom portion 220 couple to the matching holes 250in top portion 230 when they are brought together, resulting in a closedcontainer as shown in FIG. 2B.

FIG. 2C is a perspective view of the bottom portion 220, shown in FIG.2A, according to embodiments of the invention. In embodiments, bottomportion 220 is comprised of a bottom surface 260 and a plurality ofsidewalls 270 coupled to the surface 260 to form a cavity 280 to holdone or more of the pieces of soap. In embodiments, the cavity 280 may besufficiently large enough to hold both pieces of soap and thecompressible material 245, when compressed. In the embodiment of FIG.2C, the surface 260 is the base of the container and comprises spikes265 that provide traction to hold a piece of soap in place. While inthis embodiment, traction is provided with small spikes, one skilled inthe art will recognize that there are a number of ways to providetraction on surface 260 that fall within the scope of the presentinvention.

While the embodiment of FIG. 2C comprises tabs 240 in the bottom portion220 and matching holes 250 in the top portion 230 that couple the twoportions of the container together, the present invention is not limitedto this type of coupling. One skilled in the art will recognize thatthere are a number of ways to couple the top portion 230 and bottomportion 220 of a container, including, but not limited to, livinghinges, snaps, straps, etc. One skilled in the art will recognize thatall of these means for coupling and others fall within the scope of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2D is a perspective view of the top portion 230 shown in FIG. 2Aaccording to embodiments of the invention. In embodiments, top portion230 is comprised of a top surface 290 and a plurality of sidewalls 295that create a cavity 297. In embodiments, top portion 230 may simplycomprise a top surface 290 that may be coupled to the bottom portion220, for example, by a living hinge design, snaps, straps, etc. Inembodiments, when the top portion 230 and the bottom portion 220 arecoupled together, the cavity of the closed container 200 comprises thecavities 280 and 297.

In embodiments, when closed, the cavity of container 200 is sufficientto hold the first piece 105 (e.g., a bar of soap), the second piece 110(e.g. a soap sliver) and the compressible material 245. In embodiments,the thickness of the compressible material 245 is such that when thecontainer 200 is closed, the top surface 290 compresses the compressiblematerial 245 into the stacked pieces of soap to meld the pieces of soaptogether. For example, if the enclosed container is left overnight, thefirst piece of soap will be melded (or stuck) to the second piece ofsoap to create a combined piece of soap. The combined piece relives theuser of having to deal with the small soap slivers, which are oftendifficult to handle and fragile. Further, the present invention reducesthe waste that is often associated with simply discarding small soapslivers due to the inconvenience and difficulty of using them in theshower, etc.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of a shower scrubber 300 that may be used as acompressible material according to embodiments invention. For example,in embodiments, scrubber 300 may be used as the compressible material incontainer 200 shown in FIGS. 2A-2D. In embodiments, scrubber 300 is madefrom a nylon netting material that is well known for creating variousshower scrubbers (also referred to as shower “poufs”). In embodiments,scrubber 300 is constructed, as discussed further herein, from fourseparate pieces of nylon netting, each formed in the shape of a tube. Inembodiments, the length of the tube of nylon material may be varied tochange the thickness of the resulting shower scrubber. FIGS. 4A through4F, and the discussion below, describe how to make scrubber 300according to embodiments of the invention. However, one skilled in theart will recognize that the invention is not limited to the descriptionbelow. Similar scrubbers made of different materials or crafteddifferently also fall within the scope of the present invention.

In embodiments, each of the four tubes of nylon mesh material is rolledto produce four loops of nylon mesh 410, similar to the one shown inFIG. 4A. In embodiments, two opposing edges, labeled A and B of a nylonmesh loop 410 are overlapped to create a “C” shape 420 as shown in FIG.4B. In embodiments, for the first link in the scrubber 300, the opposingedges of the “C” shape 420, labeled C and D, are also overlapped to forma circle shape 425 as shown in FIG. 4C. In embodiments, overlappingedges C and D are tied together with a knot 412 to maintain the circularshape with a hole 430 through the center as shown in FIG. 4C. Inembodiments, the string used to form the knot 412 may optionally be usedto create a loop of string 422 that may be used to hang the scrubber 300from a faucet, rack, hook, etc.

In embodiments, a second link 435 in scrubber 300 is created byoverlapping opposing edges of a second loop of nylon mesh as shown inFIG. 4B. In embodiments, one of the edges C or D of the resulting “C”shape 420 is threaded through hole 430 of the first link shown in FIG.4C. The resulting two links are shown in FIG. 4D.

In embodiments a third link 445 in scrubber 300 is created byoverlapping opposing edges of a third loop of nylon mesh as shown inFIG. 4B. In embodiments, one of the edges C or D of the resulting “C”shape 420 of the third link is threaded through the holes in the edges Cand D of the second link 435. The resulting three links are shown inFIG. 4E.

In embodiments a fourth link 455 in scrubber 300 is created byoverlapping opposing edges of a fourth loop of nylon mesh as shown inFIG. 4B. In embodiments, one of the edges C or D of the resulting “C”shape 420 of the fourth link is threaded through the holes in the edgesC and D of the third link 445 as shown in FIG. 4F. In embodiments, thefourth link 455 is the final link in scrubber 300. In embodiments, thetwo edges C and D of the fourth link 455 are overlapped and tiedtogether to create the scrubber 300 as shown in FIG. 3.

It is worth noting that the weaved construction of scrubber 300 shown inFIG. 3 results in four holes 430 that extend through scrubber 300. Inembodiments, these holes 430 allow the user to insert the user's fingerthrough the scrubber 300 as shown in FIGS. 5A-5C. This innovative designprovides the user with a comfortable and natural way to hold scrubber300 while bathing. Since the user does not have to grip the scrubber,the user can use a natural open hand motion while washing the user'sbody. Further, when the user forms a fist while the scrubber 300 ispositioned on the user's fingers, the user can apply greater pressurewhile scrubbing with the portion of scrubber 300 attached to the back ofthe user's hand. Again, this provides the user with greater control ofthe scrubber 300 while bathing.

It will be appreciated to those skilled in the art that the precedingexamples and embodiments are exemplary and not limiting to the scope ofthe present invention. For example, while the embodiments describedabove disclose melding two pieces of soap together, one skilled in theart will recognize that the present invention may be used to combineother materials as well. Similarly, while the scrubber 300 is describedfor use as a bathing sponge, one skilled in the art will recognize thatthe invention has broader applicability. It is intended that allpermutations, enhancements, equivalents, combinations, and improvementsthereto that are apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading ofthe specification and a study of the drawings are included within thetrue spirit and scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus that melds together a first piece ofsoap and a second piece of soap comprising: a first portion comprising afirst surface and at least one sidewall coupled to the first surface,the first portion further comprising a plurality of settings in the atleast one sidewall; and a second portion that is positioned at one ofthe plurality of settings in the at least one sidewall.
 2. The apparatusof claim 1, wherein the at least one sidewall is solid.
 3. The apparatusof claim 1, wherein the first surface is the base of the apparatus. 4.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second portion is a lid of theapparatus.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first surface andthe at least one sidewall create a cavity that holds the first piece ofsoap and the second piece of soap.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, whereinthe second portion compresses the second piece of soap with the firstpiece of soap.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the second portioncomprises a compressible material.
 8. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein acompressible material located between the first portion and the secondportion compresses the first piece of soap with the second piece ofsoap.
 9. An apparatus that melds together a first piece of soap and asecond piece of soap comprising: a first portion comprising a firstsurface and at least one sidewall coupled to the first surface, whereinthe first surface and the at least one sidewall create a cavity thatholds at least the first piece of soap; a second portion comprising asecond surface, wherein the second portion couples to the first portion;and a compressible material that is positioned between the first surfaceand the second surface to press the second piece of soap into the firstpiece of soap when the second portion is coupled to the first portion.10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first surface is a base of theapparatus.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the base has drainageholes.
 12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the second portion is a lidof the apparatus.
 13. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the at least onesidewall is solid.
 14. An apparatus that melds together a first piece ofsoap and a second piece of soap comprising: a first portion comprising afirst surface and at least one sidewall coupled to the first surface,wherein the first surface and the at least one sidewall create a cavitythat holds at least the first piece of soap; a second portion thatcouples to the first portion, the second portion comprising a secondsurface that presses the second piece of soap into the first piece ofsoap when the second portion is coupled to the first portion.
 15. Theapparatus of claim 14 wherein the second surface is made of a flexiblematerial.
 16. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the second surface ismade of a compressible material.
 17. The apparatus of claim 14, whereinthe first surface is a base of the apparatus.
 18. The apparatus of claim17, wherein the base has drainage holes.
 19. The apparatus of claim 14,wherein the second portion is a lid of the apparatus.
 20. The apparatusof claim 14, wherein the at least one sidewall is solid.